When Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi announced its foray into the electric vehicle (EV) market in 2021, skeptics doubted the company’s ability to deliver. However, in a surprising turn of events, deliveries of Xiaomi’s first EV, the SU7 sedan, have already begun in 2024, with the company reporting over 75,000 orders.
To meet this demand, Xiaomi has set up a cutting-edge factory in Yizhuang, Beijing. A newly released video showcases the factory’s impressive capability to produce an SU7 every 76 seconds, highlighting the company’s heavy reliance on automation in the manufacturing process.
The production process begins in the hypercasting area, where robots efficiently stamp large parts of the SU7. Robots are then responsible for assembling the car’s body-in-white, performing welds, applying adhesives, and even painting and polishing the exterior. Advanced laser technology is used to scan each part and ensure precision in assembly.
While the video focuses on the automated aspects of production, it does not delve into the details of interior assembly, which likely involves more human intervention. Once completed and inspected, the SU7 is driven off the assembly line by its automated driving systems.
The popularity of the SU7 in China can be attributed to its competitive pricing, starting at just $29,900, significantly lower than the locally-made Tesla Model 3. Despite offering performance and luxury comparable to a Porsche Taycan, analysts estimate that Xiaomi is losing approximately $9,400 on each SU7 sold.
